Defence

‘Defence Forces need investment to deal with cybersecurity risk’

Attack on HSE’s systems last year was ‘first salvo’ in cybersecurity war, former head of the New Zealand defence forces says

Ireland’s defence spending is the lowest in Europe, at 0.3 per cent of gross domestic product. Picture: Defence Forces

Ireland needs to invest more in its Defence Forces to make them “light and agile” to deal with threats like cybersecurity, the former head of the New Zealand defence forces has warned.

Lieutenant General Tim Keating, who is now retired, was speaking ahead of an imminent cabinet decision to increase the future funding for the Irish Defence Forces.

He told the Business Post that the ransomware attack by the Conti group on the HSE’s systems ...